Monday, October 31, 2011

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Mike Collins scored twice while former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Kyle Bigos recorded two assists in Merrimack's 4-2 victory over Vermont Saturday. Collins in his second season with the Warriors played two seasons in Vernon (2008-2010) winning back to back Royal Bank Cups. Bigos in his third season with Merrimack played two seasons in Vernon (2007-2009) winning one National Championship in 2009.

For more on Saturday's game, click on the link below for the game sheet,

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Ninth-ranked Merrimack scored two goals in the span of 44 seconds midway through the second period and hung on to beat Vermont 4-2 in Hockey East action at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Saturday night. The Warriors swept the weekend series and moved their unbeaten record to 6-0-0 (4-0-0 HEA), while the Catamounts fell to 1-3-0 (0-2-0 HEA).

"We were better tonight from our standpoint as a coaching staff, we did a lot of things in our zone better than we did last night but we've got to strive for consistency," said head coach Kevin Sneddon. "We were excellent at certain things for periods of time and then we would lose it, and we got into that situation again in the second period where we give them two quick goals. A team like that plays very well when they're up."

Vermont struck first within the opening four minutes of the first period after Connor Toomey was called for tripping at the 2:20 mark. Connor Brickley took a feed from defenseman Michael Paliotta at center ice and skated hard down the right wing boards. The sophomore cut in toward the bottom of the right circle and ripped a shot into the upper left corner to make it 1-0 Catamounts. Anders Franzon picked up his second point of the weekend with the second assist.

Merrimack answered roughly eight minutes later as UVM found itself on the wrong end of an unfortunate bounce. Ryan Flanigan skated into the Vermont zone near right point and took a low wrist shot on Alex Vazzano. The sophomore netminder made the initial save, but Karl Stollery jumped into the play and the puck deflected off the Warrior defenseman into the net. Carter Madsen picked up the other assist on the play.

The game remained 1-1 into the second period, and Joe Cannata kept it tied with point-blank saves on a pair of Chris McCarthy wrist shots early in the frame. Merrimack then used a quick spurt to grab the lead for good near the halfway mark after Vermont was called for too many men on the ice. Jesse Todd picked up the puck behind the Catamount goal on the ensuing power play and fed a pass to the left post. Vazzano was sliding across his crease to cover the opposite pipe, and it was tapped in by Mike Collins to make it 2-1.

Less than a minute later, Merrimack added to its lead with the teams at even strength. Beginning at the right point, Kyle Bigos deeked to his backhand around a UVM defenseman, faked a slap shot, and curled around the right faceoff circle. Bigos then centered a pass which deflected off charging teammate Elliott Sheen, and it was knocked into the open net by Madsen at the left post at 10:42. Sheen and Bigos were credited with the assists.

Rhett Bly was called for a five-minute charging major with 25 seconds left in the second period, and the Catamounts took an extended man advantage into the final frame. Stollery took another penalty early in the third for interference, which gave the Catamounts a 5-on-3 for 1:12. After winning the faceoff, Kyle Reynolds sent a pass from the left point to Sebastian Stalberg in the low left circle. Stalberg quickly picked out Brett Bruneteau on the right side of the crease, and he beat Cannata with a one-timer to cut the lead in half.

Vermont had a chance to tie the game on its eighth power play of the night with 11 minutes remaining in the contest but couldn't convert. The Catamounts pulled Vazzano with under a minute remaining in regulation and it nearly led to the equalizer. Lance Herrington sent a pass from the left point through traffic, but it hopped over Reynolds' stick in the slot and the freshman fanned on the open chance. Collins took the loose puck, skated down the left wing boards, and finished off an empty-net goal to put the Warriors up 4-2.

"I know the players are frustrated, but the only way I know how to fix it is to work hard in practice," said Sneddon. "Merrimack is a complete team in every sense and we have to give credit where credit is due. I thought we did a good job of trying to muster back the momentum and had some good energy going but it was a little too late. We can't get caught up in the results right now, but we have to understand that league points are at stake and we can't give away points like we did this weekend."

Vermont went 2-8 on the power play as Merrimack finished the night with 25 penalty minutes. The Warriors were 1-4 with the man advantage but only had one opportunity in the third period. Vazzano made 20 saves in a losing effort for the Catamounts, while Cannata stopped 16 shots to improve his record to 5-0-0 to start his senior season. Merrimack out-shot Vermont 24-18 in the contest.

The Catamounts return to action next weekend as they hit the road for a two-game Hockey East series against Providence (2-3-1, 2-2-0 HEA). The games are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 4) and Saturday (Nov. 5) at Schneider Arena. Both contests can be heard live on WVMT 620-AM beginning at 6:30 p.m., with Alastair Ingram calling the action against the Friars. The Saturday night game will also be televised by COX Sports.

NOTES: Brett Bruneteau's third period goal was his first tally in a Vermont jersey after transferring from North Dakota ... Sebastian Stalberg and Kyle Reynolds are both on three-game point streaks ... Alex Vazzano made his second career start and first since last season on December 18, 2010 against St. Lawrence ... Saturday marked Vazzano's first career start at Gutterson Fieldhouse and in Hockey East play ... The Catamounts finished the weekend 3-13 on the power play, after Merrimack had only allowed one power play goal through its first four games ... UVM is 11-3-5 against Providence under head coach Kevin Sneddon.

The Canadian Junior Hockey League today announced its Weekly Top 20 rankings. Last week’s rankings and the leagues in which the teams belong to are in parenthesis. The weekly rankings are selected in consultation with NHL Central Scouting and are proudly presented by PlayingUpHockey.com:

Weekly rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the teams play, winning percentage, win-loss record, total points accumulated, goals-for versus goals-against ratio, etc.

The CJHL is comprised of the ten Junior A hockey leagues across Canada. More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website. http://www.cjhlhockey.com/

Sunday, October 30, 2011

They hadn’t played a single shift together before the start of the B.C. Hockey League season, but it would be hard to tell with all the points they’re racking up.

The top line of Paul De Jersey, Michael Colantone and Jujhar Khaira combined for seven points and all the offence as the host Prince George Spruce Kings outlasted the Vernon Vipers 3-2 Friday night at the Coliseum.

Khaira, who earned first star for his 2+1 showing, redirected a Sedin-like slap pass by Kings’ defenceman Ben Woodley to record the winner on a third-period powerplay in front of 643 fans.

De Jersey, a former Salmon Arm SilverBack, is second in league scoring with 14-14-28 in just 13 games. Khaira, a 17-year-old Surrey product is a point back at 11-16-27. Colantone, who was picked up in September from the Victoria Grizzlies in exchange for defenceman Jesse Ursic, is in the top-10 with 9-12-21.

“They’ve got some good chemistry, they’re bigger bodies, they’ve got some good skill and they’re veteran players,” said Vipers’ head coach Jason Williamson, of the Spruce Kings’ trio. “They play a lot so they’re going to get their chances.

“It was a good hockey game that could have gone either way. Their guys, when you give them some time, made some plays.”

Colantone opened the scoring after the Vipers lost coverage in their zone. The Cave Creek, Ariz. native, standing alone in the slot, took a feed from behind the net and buried his ninth of the season at 9:20.

The Vipers, second in the Interior Conference at 9-4, equalized early in the second period with the teams playing 4-on-4. Mike Zalewski, also with his ninth of the season, took a breakaway feed from defenceman Ryan Renz and went in alone to beat nemtinder Marcus Beesley (26 saves) with a five-hole backhander at 3:36.

The Kings (7-5-0-1) restored the lead four minutes later on a 5-on-3 man advantage goal by Kaira as the left-handed sniper ripped a shot from his off-wing, firing over netminder Kirby Halcrow’s glove.

Halcrow made 29 stops in the loss.

After Darren Nowick was denied on a second Vernon breakaway, third star John Knisley (2nd goal) stuck with the play and ended up picking the top corner off a rebound after a strong cycle.

“A couple breakdowns, and against a team like that, you’ve got to know who you’re playing against when you’re on the ice,” said Williamson.

“If you look at the powerplays – they were 2-for-8 and we were 0-for-4 – that’s probably the difference in the game,” said Williamson. “I was pretty disappointed with the reffing, but no excuses, you can’t leave it in their hands.”

Williamson credited forwards Peter McMullen and Jedd Soleway for injecting some extra hustle into the lineup, and rewarded them with more ice time.

“They had some good shift, some good pressure,” he said.

Both the Vipers and Penticon Vees will be missing bodies when they meet Wednesday night at Wesbild Centre.

The Vipers, already without injured captain Pat McGillis (ankle), will be missing forward Aaron Hadley and d-men Brett Corkey and Luke Juha as they are in Langley auditioning for Team Canada West for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge.

The Vees are without blueliner Troy Stecher and forwards Travis St. Denis and Curtis Loik. Penticton forward Mario Lucia and d-man Mike Reilly, both of Minnesota, will compete with Team U.S. at the tourney, Nov. 7-13 in Langley.

“They wanted that game (against Prince George) and now they’re looking forward to a big game on Wednesday. We haven’t had a lot of luck against Penticton, but sometime that will change,” said Williamson.

SNAKE BITES: The Viper bus broke down half way between Quesnel and Prince George on the way home Friday night. The team had to wait until 3 a.m. before the Spruce Kings’ bus came to rescue them...Penticton captain Logan Johnston has committed to the NCAA Division 1 University of Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks for the fall of 2012. Johnston, a 20-year-old Penticton native, has 69 points in 173 career regular-season games. Currently serving a 25-game suspension for an incident during a preseason game, he will be eligible to play Nov. 26 versus the Chilliwack Chiefs...SilverBacks’ rookie forward Chris Gillies recorded a goal and assist as the ‘Backs bowed 6-5 to the Merritt Centennials Friday night at the Sunwave Centre. The 16-year-old Vernon native has three goals and two assists in 12 games.

Wow. This is no ordinary multiple choice test. In high school, there were four or five choices and sometimes I got lucky and picked the correct answer.

In this exam, or poll, as the B.C. Hockey League calls it to celebrate their 50th season, there really are no wrong answers.

How can one choose between Duncan Keith, Andrew Ladd, Kyle Turris and twins Connor and Kellen Jones in the 2000s? Toss in Tyler Bozak, Brandon Yip and Jamie Benn, and fans face some tough picks as they select the top players in league history.

After officials tally online fan voting, the top-50 list will be revealed at BCHL Celebration Weekend, Nov. 25-26, at each team’s arena.

Fans can vote for the players they believe are the top Three Stars from each decade of the league’s existence. There are 133 players listed in total and the rankings are weighted.

“Fans will be surprised at just how many names they’ll recognize from throughout our history,” said BCHL communications director and former Morning Star reporter Brent Mutis, who once pitched in the same UBC Thunderbird rotation as Jeff Francis.

“There are lots of players who had fantastic Junior A careers and others who went on to long NHL careers. A glance to our website of the Trophy Case section will reveal many of the names in the survey.”

I went with the Jones boys and Turris in the 2000s for the impact they had on Royal Bank Cup championship teams. They were all natural-born thrillers who earned their showers every night.

In the ‘90s, the poll should have shown some love to the ‘99 national king Vipers, who got 111 points from Lanny Gare in his second year with Vernon.

Also left off the list was Jason Elders, who racked up 67 regular-season goals and almost hit 100 for the year as the Vernon Lakers won the 1990-91 Canadian title.

Scotty Longstaff, one of the most dynamic players in Vernon history, compiled 160 points in the ‘91-92 season, winning the league points race by 28 over Paul Kariya of the Penticton Panthers. Kariya missed 20 games due to injury. Kariya is on the list. Longstaff isn’t.

Glen Metropolit, another Vernon gem who put on a show every night, is listed. I went with Bill Muckalt of the Merritt Centennials, Scott Gomez of the South Surrey Eagles and Kariya.

To the ‘80s, where Brett Hull had 105 snipes after a 48-goal rookie season in Penticton, and Cliff Ronning struck 83 times with the New Westminster Royals.

Ray Ferraro had one monster 132-point season in Penticton to win the league scoring crown. Joe Murphy and Ian Kidd were superstars with the 1984-85 Centennial Cup champion Penticton Knights.

D-man Blair Campbell put up Donkey-Kong numbers in two years with the Vernon Lakers and he got one of my votes alongside Hull and Murphy.

Ignored on this list were Duane Dennis and Dave Oliver, who jumpstarted the Lakers to a league trophy one year and the rousing Centennial Cup victory at home the next.

As for the ‘70s, when Don Murdoch was pretty much a rock star with the Vernon Essos/Vikings, I went the homer route and took Murdoch, Ernie Gare Jr. of the Essos/Penticton Broncos and Ed Johnstone of the Essos.

Big names on the survey from that decade include Barry Pederson of the Nanaimo Clippers, Ryan Walter of the Langley Lords and Glenn Anderson of the Bellingham Blazers. Not listed is shifty John (Wire) Price, who shared the scoring title one year with his linemate and buddy Gare.

Going way back to the ‘60s, I used some deep-seeded childhood memories and selected the late, great Wayne Dye who was Vernon’s Athlete of the 20th Century.

I also chose rushing d-man Tom Serviss and slick centre Lawrence Quechuck of those same Essos. To cast your votes, visit the ‘BCHL History’ page under the ‘League’ tab.

Gordon dies in Penticton

Hal Gordon, a popular goalie with the 1956 Allan Cup champion Vernon Canadians, died two weeks ago in Penticton, at age 83, after suffering a stroke.

Vernon’s Odie Lowe has fond memories of his teammate. The two also played together in the Eastern Hockey League with the New York Rovers.

“Hal was a very good goaltender,” recalled Lowe, who scored one NHL goal in four games with the New York Rangers. “The one year, Hal got hurt and they brought in some young kid named Gump Worsley and poor Hal lost his job and ended up way down in the minors.”

Saturday, October 29, 2011

In Prince George Friday night, the Spruce Kings and the Vernon Vipers once again pitted their top lines against one another in a 3-2 Spruce King victory.

The high scoring Spruce King trio of Paul De Jersey, Michael Colantone, and Jujhar Khaira opened the scoring at 9:20 of the first period. Colantone was the trigger man with both wingers drawing assists.

Michael Zalewski’s breakaway goal at 3:36 of the second period tied the contest. He was set free by Ryan Renz's stretch pass.

As both teams opened up play in the second, goalies Marcus Beesley and Kirby Halcrow were busy. The home team edged the Vipers in shots, 14-13, partly because of a string of Viper penalties.

The Spruce Kings forged ahead while enjoying a two-man advantage. Jujhar Khaira’s wrister went bar and down, as the PG snipers gained an advantage over the Nowick/Zalewski/Knisley unit.

That advantage was nullified when John Knisley scored at 12:04 when he followed Darren Nowick’s breakaway attempt to the Prince George goal. Marcus Beesley stopped Nowick, but the Viper centre retrieved the puck and fed Knisley in front of the net. Knisley’s quick rising shot went over Beesley’s glove.

Between the two goals, Kirby Halcrow kept his team in the game with a fine save on a Khaira rebound put-back at 9:40.

The third period was a hard checking, physical affair during which chances were at a premium. However, the Vipers nearly scored short handed when defenceman Brett Corkey went hard to the net to make a play on Darren Nowick’s pass.

The Vipers continued to be assessed penalties and the Spruce Kings capitalized in their sixth power play of the night when Jujhar Khaira deflected Ben Woodley’s point shot at 8:46. Paul De Jersey recorded the secondary assist, his third of the game.

That goal, scored by the BCHL’s 16th ranked power play unit, proved to be the winner. The Spruce Kings capitalized twice in eight opportunities, while the Vipers were blanked in their four power plays.

Post-game, Viper Coach Jason Williamson was frustrated by inconsistent officiating: “It was a well-played hockey game with good goaltending at both ends, but we didn’t agree with a lot of the calls on penalties and icings. Still, the coaches of both teams have to be happy with the effort of their players tonight.”

Here is a Vipers fan that many by now have probally seen dancing-cheering on the Vipers at the last few home games. This fan was spotted putting on a great show dancing for the fans and the Vipers during a Vernon-Chilliwack game back on October, 7th 2011

Tonight is the Vipers first visit to the Prince George Coliseum since a 4-1 victory back on Saturday, january 15th 2011 and tonight is the second game of a home and home series between the Vipers & Spruce Kings after Vernon defeated Prince George 4-3 last Sunday in Vernon. The Vipers play three out of their next five games on home ice looking at catching the 1st place Penticton Vees who are just three points ahead of Vernon.

Let's take a look at the trades the Vipers have made so far this season.

27-Jun-11 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club acquires the CJHL playing rights of Luke Juha (93)(D) from the Burlington Cougars Hockey Club of the OJHL in exchange for future considerations.

02-Aug-11 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Dane Muench (92)(F), Phillip Patenaude (91)(D) and future considerations to the Kindersley Klippers Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Jarryd Ten Vannholt and Justin Elliot.

19-Sep-11 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91)(F) to the Victoria Grizzles Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

20-Oct-11 The Vernon Vipers signed 18 year old forward Peter McMullen (93)(F)

Prince George who has played five of it's last eight games at the PG Coliseum are home for back to back games before hitting the road for four straight. The Spruce Kings return home after losing both games of a small two game road trip, after winning five straight the Spruce Kings have dropped back to back games falling from 3rd to 4th place in the Interior Conference and will be looking for a win tonight to try and get within three points of the Vernon Vipers. PG has won five straight on home ice going for six straight tonight.

Let's take a look at the trades the Spruce Kings have made this season.

18-Jul-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Dustin Beairsto (92)(F) to the Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Hockey League in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of Nick Huard (91) and future considerations.

18-Jul-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Bennett Hambrook (92)(D) to the Woodstock Slammers Hockey Club of the MHL in exchange for future considerations.

11-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club acquire the playing rights of Paul DeJersey (92)(F) from the Drumheller Dragons Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

12-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Todd Skirving (92)(F) plus future considerations to the Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Ben Matthews (91)(D).

12-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Trevor Fitzgerald (92)(F), Josh Bryan (93)(D) and Scott Milnthorp (92)(D) to the Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Leo Fitzgerald (93)(F), Myles Fitzgerald (93)(F), Gerry Fitzgerald (93(F) and Jesse Urcic (93)(D).

22-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Kyle Manlow (91) to the Dauphin Kings Hockey Club of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations.

03-Oct-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Nick Huard (91) to the Woodstock Slammers Hockey Club of the MHL in exchange for the playing righs of Doug Jessey.

05-Oct-11 The Westside Warriors Hockey Club transfer the playing rights of Tyson Witala (93)(F) to the Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

11-Oct-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Sam Waterfield (91)(F) to the Humboldt Broncos Hockey Club of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations.

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Prince George has the leagues 16th best powerplay

-The Spruce Kings have the BCHL's 13th best penalty kill

-Paul De Jersey (14-12-26), Jujhar Khaira (9-14-23) & Michael Colantone (8-12-20) are all in the leagues top twenty in scoring

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Bruin MacDonald has signed with the Coquitlam Express. MacDonald who started last season with the WHL Spokane Chiefs was released before joining the Victoria Grizzlies. The Vipers then aquired MacDonald from the Grizzlies at last years BCHL card deadline for future considerations. MacDonald didnt report to Vernon ended up signing and playing with the QMJHL Gatineau Olympiques before the team released the d-man after playing in just five regular season games.

A good week got even better Wednesday for Vernon Vipers’ power forward Aaron Hadley.

A day after he announced his NCAA Division 1 commitment to the Western Michigan Broncos, the 18-year-old Castlegar native learned he is one of three Vipers to advance to the 34-man Team Canada West selection camp, which runs Saturday to Tuesday in Langley.

Hadley, along with Vernon defencemen Brett Corkey and Luke Juha, will battle for a place on head coach Kent Lewis’s Canada West roster that will compete at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge (WJAC), Nov. 7-13 in Langley.

For a chance to wear the maple leaf, the trio will gladly endure the long haul to the Lower Mainland after the Vipers tangle with the host Prince George Spruce Kings tonight at the Coliseum.

Vernon, who iced Prince George 4-3 Sunday at Wesbild Centre, is second in the B.C. Hockey League’s Interior Conference at 9-3, while the Kings are fourth at 6-5-0-1.

“Anytime you put on that Canadian jersey it’s a great honour. The three of us are really excited about it,” said Hadley, who represented Team Pacific at the World Under 17 Championships in Timmins, Ont.

Having played with Canada East last year, Juha, a Mississauga, Ont. product, has a pretty good idea what it will take to earn a roster spot.

“You’ve just got to be consistent and play the way the coach wants you to play. They’re looking for role players and you’ve got to fill that role and do it well,” said Juha, one of four WJAC veterans trying out for Canada West. Rhett Holland (AJHL Okotoks Oilers), Sam Jardine (AJHL Camrose Kodiaks) and Travis St. Denis (Penticton Vees) are the other three.

For Corkey, who leads Viper d-men with eight points (all assists) in 12 games, this will be his first taste of international competition. The Calgary native has heard plenty of good feedback from his Alberta buddies John Lidgett (Kodiaks) and Holland, and from Viper grad Dylan Walchuk, who competed at 2010 Challenge last year in Penticton.

“They had nothing but good things to say about it. Just a great a opportunity to represent your region and play against teams from Europe. Just to have that crest on your jersey means a whole lot,” said Corkey.

Canada West will play in Group A, joined by Sweden and the U.S., while Canada East, Czech Republic and Russia will comprise Group B.

In total, there are 18 BCHLers, 10 AJHL players, four from the Manitoba league and two from Saskatchewan auditioning for Canada West spots.

Considering the exposure the WJAC will bring the organization, Vipers’ head coach Jason Williamson has no problem sending his players to Langley, even if it leaves him a bit shorthanded.

“I think they’ve all got a really good shot. Three good players from one team; it’s going to put us behind the eight ball, but that’s part of our job,” he said. “It’s tough with a 21-man roster, but we’ll get some younger guys in and tries some guys out.”

WJAC preliminary play will run until Wednesday, Nov. 9, with both semifinals taking place Friday, Nov. 11. The gold-medal game will be shown nationally on TSN Sunday, Nov. 13.

All other games can be seen live via webcast at hockeycanada.fasthockey.com.

Regarding Hadley’s scholarship, Williamson added: “Hads has had a good start, he’s been a leader for us and he brings a different element to the game where he’s a big power forward. You can only have so many smaller, skilled guys. You’re going to need some guys to create some space.”

With several major NCAA realignments in the works, Hadley will enter collegiate hockey at an interesting juncture.

The Big Ten Conference is preparing to join Division I in 2013-14, and will bring with it several teams from the WCHA and CCHA conferences. In turn, teams like Western Michigan, formerly of the CCHA, will shift to the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which begins play in 2013-14. The eight-team NCHC will include Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha, St. Cloud, North Dakota and Miami.

“Things are really looking up and it’s going to be a great program. They’re really moving up in the hockey NCAA world,” said Hadley. “They’ve got a great school, great coaches and they were really interested in me and I thought it would be a great fit.”

Another key factor in Hadley’s decision to join the Broncos was the chance to work with head coach Andy Murray, who split 10 years of NHL coaching duty between Los Angeles and St. Louis.

Hadley will join former Salmon Arm SilverBacks David Killip and netminder Kris Moore, along with former Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ keeper Frank Slubowski, on the Broncos.

SNAKE BITES: Penticton Vees’ forward Mario Lucia and defenceman Mike Reilly, both Minnesota natives, were named to Team U.S. for the WJAC...Prince George Spruce Kings’ forward Paul De Jersey has committed to the NCAA Providence College Friars. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound West Vancouver product is fourth in league scoring with 14-11-25 in 12 games.

Editor’s Note: this article is part five of a 10-part series about this year’s crop of new Vernon Viper players.

Chris Shaw - Solid Citizen

Don Klepp

Oct 21 2011

Coach Chris Shaw (R) believes that, “This team has a lot of potential. We have a number of things to work on, and championships aren’t won in September/October. So, we just want to keep improving, week after week. Our goal is to reach our peak by playoff time.”

He was a rugged customer when he played in the BCHL, racking up 512 penalty minutes in 168 games with Victoria and Burnaby, but these days he’s a model citizen.

The Viper Assistant Coach and General Manager concentrates on being a role model – “It’s important to show the players how to act in a professional way. We’re all very competitive, but we need to control and channel our emotions.”

“Part of our professionalism deals with the pressure of performing in a market that expects success, year after year,” he says. “The players feel that pressure and so do the coaches. Two national championships and a close call last year. It doesn’t get more pressure-filled than that. The expectations are high in Vernon. That’s a good thing, but you have to be focused and in control of your emotions all the time.”

Chris Shaw’s role with the Vipers is to run the defence and “tutor the defence,” he says. “Essentially, I’m a support for Jason and I help with player recruitment and education issues as well as the on-ice aspects.”

He’s had previous experience in that role; he started his coaching career in 2008-09 with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. From there, he went to the Okanagan Hockey Academy as an assistant to Alan Kerr. Last year, he was the Head Coach and GM of the Jr. “B” Nelson Leafs.

He says that the big difference between coaching at the Jr. “B” and Jr. “A” levels is the quality of players you get to coach and their ability to learn quickly: “Here, for the most part, they get it the first time they’re told. You still need to repeat things to establish deep-seated habits, but I really like working with players at this level.”

He says that “Jason and I are very happy with our recruited defencemen. Right now, one through seven on our back end, they all can play. They’re responsible defensively, and they can chip in offensively, too.” The Vipers lead the league in goals against average in the early going, so Chris has reason to be happy with his D crew.

Chris believes that “This team has a lot of potential. We have a number of things to work on, and championships aren’t won in September/October. So, we just want to keep improving, week after week. Our goal is to reach our peak by playoff time.”

The Viper players respect the approach taken by their coaches. Captain Patrick McGillis says that “they’re very knowledgeable, obviously, but their main strength is their ability to communicate their expectations and instructions. Chris is a player’s coach, I’d say, just like Jason.”

Several players have commented about another trait that Chris Shaw brings to his role – his sense of humor. He admits that “As an assistant coach I like to throw in a little humor and lighten things up at appropriate times. Yes, it’s pretty serious here, but it’s not a good idea to breathe down the necks of younger players. You have to help the kids relax a little, so they can focus on what needs to be done, not on negative feelings. They respond a lot better when you take some of that pressure off them.”

Chris’s long term goal is “to get to the professional ranks as a coach. Each year, I’ve taken steps and here working with Jason Williamson, in the best Jr. “A” program in Canada, with the legacy left by Mark Ferner, I’m excited about the opportunity to develop while helping the players develop.”

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Vernon Vipers defencemen, Brett Corkey, Luke Juha & forward Aaron Hadley have been named to Team Canada's Team West selection camp roster.

This is posted on the BCHL website:

Team Canada West selection camp roster released by Hockey Canada

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - Submitted by Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League, announced Wednesday the 34 players that will attend the Canada West selection camp in preparation for the 2011 World Junior A Challenge.

The selection camp, scheduled for Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, will be held at the Langley Events Centre, the same venue that will host the 2011 World Junior A Challenge from Nov. 7 to 13. The 34 players will be divided into two teams – Red and White – and will play a pair of intersquad games, in addition to daily practices.

Players named to the Canada West selection camp roster were selected from the CJHL’s five western Junior A leagues: the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

“This was by no means an easy decision to get down to 34 players,” said Lewis. “We had a tremendous talent pool to choose from, and we’re excited to give fans in Langley an early look at the players who will be representing Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge.”

Canada West’s selection camp roster includes:

four goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 18 forwards;

18 players from the BCHL, 10 players from the AJHL, four players from the MJHL and two players from the SJHL;

four players returning from the 2010 World Junior A Challenge (Holland, Jardine, Juha [played for Canada East], St. Denis);

Canada West will play in Group A, joined by Sweden and the United States, while Canada East, the Czech Republic and Russia will comprise Group B. Preliminary round play will run until Wednesday, Nov. 9, with both semifinals taking place Friday, Nov. 11. The gold medal game, which will be shown nationally on TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, is set for Sunday, Nov. 13 (check your local listings). All preliminary round games, quarter-finals, semifinals and the bronze medal game can be seen live via webcast through FASTHockey at hockeycanada.fasthockey.com.

Full-tournament 15-game ticket packages are on sale, including tickets to all 13 games at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge, both CJHL Prospects Games and a free souvenir tournament program, for only $150, as well as single-game tickets and a flex package. To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE,

Canada West has appeared in four of the five gold medal games at the World Junior A Challenges, winning gold in 2006 in Yorkton, Sask., and 2007 in Trail, B.C., before settling for silver in 2008 in Camrose, Alta., and 2009 in Summerside, P.E.I. It finished fourth last year in Penticton, B.C.

For more information on the 2011 IIHF World Junior A Challenge, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca/wjac, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/wjracor www.twitter.com/hc_wjac.

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Andrew Hammond’s back-to-back shutouts against UAH (Oct. 15) and Lake Superior on Friday night (Oct. 21) is the first time Bowling Green has accomplished the feat since the 1973-74 season. Hammond who is coming off last weeks goaltender of the week, was aquired

from the Surrey Eagles at the 2008 BCHL trade deadline playing parts of two seasons with the Vipers (2007-2008) going (48-29-2). Hammond is in his second season with the Falcons.

The Vernon Vipers held their retro night on Oct. 7/2011 vs Chilliwack, 107.5 Kiss FM's sports director, Rob Abramenko decided to test the players knowledge of the 80's and early 90's. See how many questions you could answer.

Game 4 of the World Series was on TV. It was a gorgeous sunny October day. Both teams were battling bus cramps and sleep deprivation.

All the symptoms for one of those B.C. Hockey League Sunday snoozers at Wesbild Centre.

Instead, the announced crowd of 1,300 witnessed one of the best tilts of the year with the Vernon Vipers holding back the stubborn Prince George Spruce Kings 4-3 in a 4 p.m. matinee.

“I was surprised with the pace out there and it was a great game,” said Viper winger Marcus Basara, who scored once. “PG has a good team this year. They surprised me. They’ve got that one line that does a lot of the damage and their d-men can all contribute. They can beat you on any night and it was good for us to come out with the two points.”

The Vipers, who rallied to stop the host Trail Smoke Eaters 6-3 Saturday night, improved to 9-3, while the Spruce Kings fell to 6-5-0-1. Prince George, 6-2 losers to the Warriors the night before in Westside, share fourth spot in the Interior Conference with the Merritt Centennials.

First star Darren Nowick supplied his ninth and 10th goals of the season, while Colton Sparrow (4th) completed the Viper offence. Michael Colantone, Josh Gray and Jujhar Khaira replied for the Spruce Kings, who recorded a rarity, outshooting Vernon at home (33-31).

“They have a better team than they had last year by far and it was a good challenge,” said Viper d-man Max Mowat, who carried the puck with authority and drew two assists. “Because only four teams make the playoffs, everybody’s turning it on so you see everybody’s best games. Even early in the seasons, guys are going hard like it’s playoffs.”

The Spruce Kings gave up powerplay goals to Nowick and Basara to fall behind 3-2 midway through the second period.

“We didn’t play a full 60 tonight,” said Prince George monster, grizzly bearded blueliner Ben Woodley, who looks like he’s 30. “We made a couple of key turnovers and that can’t happen if we want to be a championship team this year. We didn’t tighten up down low, basically.”

Woodley, who says the Spruce Kings – who entertain Vernon Friday night – simply get used to all the road miles, isn’t surprised by the team’s early-season success.

“We know we have a skilled team in here and we know that we work hard and we can be a top team as long as we learn to play a full 60 minutes,” said the native of London, Ont.

Nowick went forehand, backhand, roof daddy after a feed by Mike Zalewski, for the winner with 2:06 remaining.

“I thought we played them straight up,” said Spruce Kings’ head coach Dave Dupas. “Even up, I think the chances were pretty equal. We made a couple of poor decisions with the puck, one on the backcheck and one on a turnover just inside their blueline which turned back into a 2-on-1 on us and that’s the game. We’re a young team and we have to learn those are decisions we can’t make if we wanna go far in this league.”

Nowick opened the scoring early in the first when he deftly deflected Mowat’s point shot with four seconds left in a powerplay. Zalewski drew the other assist.

Colantone, an Arizona product who pretty much won the lottery when he landed on the league’s premier line with Khaira and Paul DeJersey after being traded by the Victoria Grizzlies, equalized when he beat Kirby Halcrow top shelf, in tight, after a feed by DeJersey.

Sparrow finished off a 2-on-1 with Alex Hagen into an empty net as Prince George goalie Kirk Thompson was focused on Hagen. Basara got his second snipe of the season on a powerplay seven minutes later, burying a rebound into another empty net after a point blast by Mowat.

Basara, who struck the post with eight minutes left in the third, was beginning to feel like Nowick has somehow cursed his composite stick.

“It’s good to finally get one there,” said the Coquitlam product. “I’ve had tons of chances in the last few games here and it’s tough when you’re battling for just a goal. I kept telling myself that once I get one, they’ll keep coming. It was good to kind of get a gift there today.”

Basara and Nowick were actually discussing snipe slumps earlier in the game.

“I keep that (Nowick’s skid last year) in mind. We laughed about my slump on the bench today. He said, ‘Go 37 games and then come and talk to me.’ And you look at him this year with 10 goals. He’s doing good. It’s just the way the game goes. As tough as it is when it’s happening, when you’re in a slump, it’ll come and now I’m looking to build off that and moving forward.”

Mowat was happy to see Basara bag a big goal.

“That’s good for his confidence. I got a helper on that one so he can thank me later.”

Woodley moved down low and hit affiliate Josh Gray in the slot, where Gray converted with a high wrister, pulling Prince George within one at 11:55 of the second. With Thompson on the bench for a sixth attacker, Khaira scored on a scramble with 28 seconds to play.

It was the second time this season Vernon has recorded a tight, one-goal win over Prince George.

“They gain confidence when they come in here and play a team like this on their home ice and go head to head with them,” said Dupas.

Vernon Vipers colour commentator, Don Klepp interviews Vernon Vipers forward, Marcus Basara who was named the Vipers energy player of the game after a 4-3 victory over the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings Sunday afternoon.

Editor’s Note: this article is part four of a 10-part series about this year’s crop of new Vernon Viper players.

Hagan: The Quiet Hit Man

Don Klepp

Oct 19-2011

Alex Hagen is soft spoken and a skilful hockey player, so it might surprise some that his body checks leave an impression on opposing players.

Viper fans have had just two opportunities in the first three weeks of the regular season to view the skills of the slick centre man from Bronxville, New York, just north of New York City.

His most notable contribution in the Vipers’ opening 5-1 win on September 23 was a strong check half way through the first period, on Salmon Arm’s Joel Kipp, whom Alex outweighs by 35 pounds. Kipp played the remainder of the period, but later was taken to hospital with a ruptured spleen.

Alex remembers little about the incident, “other than it was a normal check. I was surprised to get a penalty for it.” He has missed the Vipers’ subsequent four games because of an off-ice injury.

The 19-year-old, who played for the Choate prep school the last two years, is noted for his playmaking and his ability to convert scoring chances. He was a prolific scorer for his hometown high school, setting records as a freshman and sophomore. He continued to score at the Choate prep school, with 40 goals and 42 assists in 56 games.

Viper fans saw evidence of that scoring touch in the pre-season, as he played mainly with Colton Sparrow and Marcus Basara. He also fired a laser over Mitch Gillam’s glove in the Vipers’ 4-1 win over Chilliwack on October 7.

Alex Hagen’s hockey career started at age three, encouraged by his father Kevin, a Calgarian who played hockey at S. Lawrence University. Alex says, “I loved the game right away.” He will follow his father to St. Lawrence next year: “I love the school, and the coaches are great there. My dad’s pretty happy, too.”

He’s glad he went to Choate for his third and fourth years of high school. “I picked it because of the education. Choate taught me a lot about the real world because it’s a very diverse place with students from every country you could imagine. Everybody’s there to prepare for university. It’s very competitive, with everybody trying their best.”

In continuing to prepare for St. Lawrence, Alex is taking two classes at Okanagan College. His hockey preparation brought him to the Vipers, who Alex says “have a very good reputation for prepping players for college and pro hockey. We played fewer than 30 games a season at Choate so the BCHL schedule will get me used to a more demanding schedule.”

“Because I was injured for a while,” he adds, “I haven’t contributed as much as I’d like, but I’ve learned a lot already and I’ve enjoyed it here. I see what I have to improve, mainly getting stronger on the draws; I need to work out more. And I need to be more aware of where players are. I think my strength is playmaking, creating a play out of nothing.”

In the meantime, he’s enjoying living in Vernon. “New York is exciting, but it’s panicky and rushy. You always have to be somewhere, to do something. Here, it’s a lot more relaxed.”

Weekly rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the teams play, winning percentage, win-loss record, total points accumulated, goals-for versus goals-against ratio, etc.

The CJHL is comprised of the ten Junior A hockey leagues across Canada. More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website. http://www.cjhlhockey.com/

For the second time in 20 hours, Vernon’s Darren Nowick scored a third period winner. On Sunday afternoon his second goal of the game helped the Vipers edge the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings, 4-3.

His winning goal came at 17:54, at the end of combination passing with his linemates, John Knisley and Mike Zalewski. Knisley started the play by stealing the puck in the Viper zone and headmanning it to Zalewski at centre. The stretch pass created a two-on-one break that Nowick finished with a slick forehand-backhand move.

The goal proved valuable because Jujhar Khaira scored off a scramble with the PG net empty at 19:32.

Nowick had opened the scoring at 4:46 of the first period. On the power play, Max Mowat flipped a point shot that Nowick deflected into the top corner.

Exactly five minutes later, Michael Colantone equalized at the end of a fine three-way passing play with Paul De Jersey and Jujhar Khaira. That goal seemed to energize the Spruce Kings, who played well for the remainder of the period after being dominated in the early going.

The Vipers, who have been at their best this season in the second period, took a 3-1 lead in the second on goals by Colton Sparrow and Marcus Basara. At full throttle, Sparrow buried an Alex Hagen laser pass at 2:31 and Basara had all day to thump in a power play rebound at 9:19.

The Spruce Kings got a power play marker of their own when affiliated player Josh Gray beat Kirby Halcrow from the slot at 11:55.

Gray’s goal came with Jedd Soleway in the box for a blow to the head of Skylar Pacheco. Soleway, who ran right over Pacheco behind the PG net, was then challenged by Kevin Leschuk. Soleway had a particularly physical game for the Vipers, while hulking defencemen Ben Matthews and Trevor Esau each laid some big hits for Prince George.

Other Highlights:

• Marcus Basara and Trevor Esau rang shots off the post in the third period.

• Kirby Halcrow absolutely robbed Michael Klonarakis on an odd man rush while the score was still tied in the first period.

• The Vipers fought fire with fire as Darren Nowick, John Knisley, and Mike Zalewski drew the task of stopping Prince George’s production line of Jujhar Khaira, Paul de Jersey, and Michael Colantone. Head to head, the Viper top line outscored the Prince George trio, 2-1. Colantone’s first period strike came when the Hagen/Sparrow/Hartley trio was on the ice.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

I was at todays BCHL game after Vernon defeated Prince George 4-3 in front of 1,296 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Prince George: Kirk Thompson

1st Period: Both teams would get an early chance off the opening faceoff, Luke Juha's point shot gave starting goaltender, Kirk Thompson a little trouble after just getting a peice of the puck with his glove, Kirby Halcrow at the other end just got a peice of Michael Colantone's shot from the circle before John Knisley's quick shot from the corner seemed to catch Thompson as the Spruce Kings goaltender just got a peice of the puck making wich looked like an awkward save. Vernon would get an early powerplay and capitalize after Darren Nowick beat Kirk Thompson at 4:46 giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead, Max Mowat and Mike Zalewski would collect the helpers. The Vipers who got in real early this morning after a 6-3 victory in Trail last night seemed to have some good jump and played very well in the opening period. Vernon would get their legs going and create some good chances in the PG zone for a few minutes. Former Salmon Arm Silverback, Paul De Jersey carried the puck in over the Vipers blueline and then dished off a nice pass to a wide open Michael Colantone who made a nice move putting the puck past Halcrow tying the game at 9:46, De Jersey and Jujhar Khaira with the assists. Shortly after Jedd Soleway who played with alot of energy leaned into a hard slapshot from the slot just going high and over the PG net. Marcus Basara and John Knisley on a odd man rush couldnt convert on the two on one. The Spruce Kings would then get their first powerplay of the afternoon, Jujhar Khaira with a quick shot from in close through traffic couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow who I dont think saw the shot until the last second made a huge pad save on the penalty kill as the Vipers killed off the minor. Halcrow had to be sharp over the next few minutes as Prince George come on a little creating and generating some good scoring opportunities. Halcrow was forced to make a good five or six real nice saves keeping this game tied. Halcrow made his biggest save of the 1st robbing Spencer McHaffie and Michael Klonarakis on a two on one, Halcrow streatched across the crease to make a huge blocker save off Klonarakis. PG would get a late man advantage but unable to capitalize as it was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. A very good evenly matched 1st period with PG getting the better scoring chances. Vernon outshot Prince George 15-12.

2nd Period: Jujhar Khaira was stopped in the slot by Kirby Halcrow on a good early chance, as the Vipers moved the puck up setting a wide open Alex Hagen who waited for Colton Sparrow to catch up into the play, before dishing off to the Vernon product who hit the empty net on the two on one giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 2:31, Hagen and Connor Hartley with the assists. The Vipers then seemed to go to sleep for a few shifts after getting caught running around in their own end, PG moving the puck well couldnt capitalize. The Spruce Kings started to play physical in the 2nd and were dishing out some good checks through out the middle frame. PG with an odd man rush couldnt convert after some good hustle by Jedd Soleway who rushed back into the play breaking up the three on two. Just before the midway mark the Vipers on the man advantage would jump ahead by two goals after Max Mowats point shot hit someone in front landing right on the tape of Marcus Basara who beat Kirk Thompson at 9:19, Mowat and Adam Tambellini picked up the assists. On the next play Jedd Soleway with a huge check behind the PG goal levelled his man into the boards drawing some attention as Kevin Leschuk come right over and dropped the gloves with Soleway wich would send PG on a powerplay. Ben Woodley come over to the Vipers penalty box and was exchanging words with the Viper rookie. The Spruce Kings who had some troubles with the man advantage finally got the puck moving setting up "AP" Josh Gray in the slot who beat Halcrow at 11:55 cutting the lead to a single goal. Ben Woodley and Chase Golightly with the helpers on the goal. Halcrow just got a peice of Gray's shot but couldnt make the glove save. The Vipers seemed to turn things around in the second half and really played well for most of the remainder of the period. The play really started to open up with Vernon carrying the better of the play. The Vipers would get a powerplay but a strong penalty kill by PG would kill off the minor. Again not alot of scoring opportunities this afternoon at both ends of the rink. Ben Woodley made a smart defensive play breaking up a Vipers odd man rush. Prince George would get things going in the final three and a half minutes, with a few solid shifts showing lots of energy cycled the puck well down low but again couldnt get any pucks close to the net as the Vipers would excape the period taking a 3-2 lead into the 3rd. Vernon was the better team in the 2nd scoring twice. The Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 10-9.

3rd Period: The Fitzgeralds showed some good hustle off the opening faceoff, getting the puck in deep setting up Leo Fitzgerald in close but ripped his shot high and over the Vipers goal. Prince George would get an early powerplay just fifty eight seconds into the 3rd but the Vipers penalty kill was good killing off the minor. Trevor Esau with a point shot was stopped by Halcrow who made a tough save through traffic. Esau's second point shot then beat Halcrow but rang off the post as PG come very close to tying the hockey game. Back come the Vipers on a two on one, Aaron Hadley and Darren Nowick couldnt convert on the odd man rush after Trevor Esau made a nice defensive play not allowing the Vipers to get a shot off. Both teams played very well defensively this afternoon. Marcus Basara with a great chance to give Vernon a two goal lead beat Thompson but hit the post. In the second half Vernon just playing the safe dump and chase game was trying to eat as much time off the clock as possible. Prince George started to come on as the period went on but the Vipers did a great job defensively keeping the Spruce Kings to the outside as PG with some good pressure late couldnt generate any real good scoring opportunities. The Spruce Kings rolling just three lines in the second half of the period had some good pressure. The Vipers after a long bus ride home last night started to look a little tired late in the period, keeping things simple Vernon waited for PG to make a mistake as the Vipers caught the Spruce Kings sending in Mike Zalewski and Darren Nowick in for the two on one, Zalewski setup Nowick who made a nice move and then went upstairs on Thompson giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 17:54, Zalewski and Ryan Renz with the assists. The Spruce Kings would get Kirk Thompson to the bench for the extra man with just over fourty seconds remaining, but the Vipers defence shutdown PG's offence for most of the final two minutes before the Spruce Kings got some traffic in front of Kirby Halcrow, Michael Colantone found and setup Jujhar Khaira at the side of the net who hit the empty cage making this a one goal game at 19:32, Colantone with the lone assist. The Vipers defence then played shutdown hockey for the remaining few seconds keeping the Spruce Kings trapped in the neutral zone ending todays game. The Vipers would defeat the Spruce Kings 4-3.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Darren Nowick (2 goals) Played well up front for the Vipers. Nowick with back to back two goal games.

Colton Sparrow (1 goal) I thought showed and played with alot of jump-energy.

Jedd Soleway Impressed me this afternoon, played very well for the first period and a half. Showed alot of hustle, played with some spark and seemed to get his line going.

Kirby Halcrow (30 saves) Kirby Halcrow who gave up 16 goals in his last three games really played well this afternoon. When the Vipers needed a big save Halcrow was their to keep his team in the game. Halcrow looked very good in the opening period when he made atleast five or six real big saves after some good pressure by the Spruce Kings.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

The Vipers improve to 9-3 and stay within three points of first place Penticton after a 6-3 Vees victory today over the visiting Surrey Eagles. After a long and late bus ride home from Trail last night, I thought the Vipers played very well for getting home early this morning and then having to play at 4pm this afternoon. You could see late in the game Vernon was starting to get tired but hung in there and pulled out the 4-3 win. A pretty good-physical game with not alot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink. Both teams played well defensively, as did both goaltenders. The puck seemed to be on edge or bouncing alot through out todays game. I thought the Vipers passing wasnt the greatest in the first two periods but was much better in the 3rd. This was a tough weekend, playing three games in three days, especially with the long bus ride to Trail last night. After dropping three straight Vernon has now won back to back games before a re-match with PG next weekend. Kevin Crowell the younger brother of former Vipers captain Chris Crowell was one of the linesmen in todays game.

Top Players: (Prince George)

Skylar Pacheco played very well defensively. Made a nice defensive play in the 3rd to breakup a Vipers two one on

Trevor Esau also played and looked very strong on the Spruce Kings blueline. Come very close to tying the game in the 3rd after hitting the post.

The line of Paul De Jersey (1 assist), Michael Colantone (1 goal & 1 assist) & Jujhar Khaira (1 goal & 1 assist) was PG's best line today. De Jersey didnt stand out as his first game in Vernon back in early October but both Khaira and Colantone were very dangerous with the puck. Both players were all over the ice getting some good scoring chances.

Game Thoughts: (Prince George)

After last night's 6-2 loss in Westside snapping the Spruce Kings five game winning streak, you knew PG would come into Vernon looking to get back on the winning track, and after an earlier 4-1 3rd period collapse falling 5-4 in overtime to the Vipers you knew PG was looking for some revenge. I thought PG just like Vernon played very well today, especially with six regulars out of the lineup. PG had some good chances especially in the opening period but couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow. Specialty teams was the difference, the Vipers went 2-3 while the Spruce Kings went 1-5. PG who has one of the bigger clubs in the league really played physical vs the Vernon today. A fairly even game as either team had a chance to win. The Spruce Kings (5-4-0-1) struggles on the road continue with just a single victory away from home, missed a great opportunity to get back into 2nd place.

Wayne Dye, (Picture on left) in his Vernon Essos days, is being recognized by the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.
By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star

Published: October 23, 2011

The Okanagan Hall of Fame will induct seven world-class athletes, one builder and one national championship team, in a luncheon Nov. 23 at the Schubert Centre.

Vern Dye, who helped found the Vernon Junior A hockey franchise and the B.C. Junior Hockey League, and his son, Wayne, named Vernon’s Athlete of the Century in 2000, will enter the shrine posthumously.

Major League baseball slugger Kevin Reimer, hockey star Larry Kwong, the first person of Chinese descent to play in the NHL, downhill skier Rob Boyd, rhythmic gymnast Camille Martens and swimming brothers Gary and Steven Vander Meulen will also be inducted.

The Vernon Lakers, who won back-to-back Centennial Cup Junior A hockey titles from 1989-91, will join the shrine.

Tickets to the luncheon are $25 and will be available next week at the Ticket Seller inside the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.

The Hall of Fame, resurrected through the auspices of Greater Vernon Museum curator Ron Candy, last held an induction ceremony almost 20 years ago.

The original Hall of Fame was founded by Nick Alexis in 1982, opening at Jubilee (Cenotaph) Park. Vandalism to the shrine in 1997 forced former chairman Chris Nelson to pack up the contents and search for a safer site.

Directors Dennis Bristow (now retired from the committee) and Kevin Mitchell, with the help of their family members, and graphic artist Nancy Wilde, held nightly work bees for months and put up 15 attractive display cases at the Multiplex (now Wesbild Centre) in 2002.

Candy and staff will be updating the displays on an ongoing basis. The committee will ask new inductees to donate memorabilia.

“We’re seeking local sponsors to ensure the induction ceremony at least breaks even,” said Mitchell.

“We’re planning a professional slide show and we’re going to honour local members of the 1956 Allan Cup (senior hockey) championship Vernon Canadians by paying for their tickets.”

Chad Soon, a school teacher who recently spearheaded the North American premiere showing of The Lost Years, featuring a segment on Kwong, is doing most of the sponsorship work for the upcoming event.

Also new to the shrine committee, which also includes retired sports fan Stu Robertson, is Roger Knox of The Morning Star, a former Vernon radio sportscaster with a love of local sports history, and Donna Hall, a community volunteer.

The Vipers snapped a three game losing streak with a 6-3 victory in Trail last night and now come all the way home to face off against the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings to finish their third game in as many days. Tonight is the first of a home and home series as Vernon will face off against the Spruce Kings next weekend in PG. Vernon plays four of its next five games at home before hitting the road for four games.

Let's take a look at the trades the Vipers have made so far this season.

27-Jun-11 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club acquires the CJHL playing rights of Luke Juha (93)(D) from the Burlington Cougars Hockey Club of the OJHL in exchange for future considerations.

02-Aug-11 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Dane Muench (92)(F), Phillip Patenaude (91)(D) and future considerations to the Kindersley Klippers Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Jarryd Ten Vannholt and Justin Elliot.

19-Sep-11 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91)(F) to the Victoria Grizzles Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

20-Oct-11 The Vernon Vipers signed 18 year old forward Peter McMullen (93)(F)

The Spruce Kings five game winning streak was snapped last night with a 6-2 loss in Westside. Today is the second and final game of a small two game road trip before heading home for a small two game home stand. With the loss last night PG falls into 4th place and three points back of Vernon.

Let's take a look at the trades the Spruce Kings have made this season.

18-Jul-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Dustin Beairsto (92)(F) to the Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Hockey League in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of Nick Huard (91) and future considerations.

18-Jul-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Bennett Hambrook (92)(D) to the Woodstock Slammers Hockey Club of the MHL in exchange for future considerations.

11-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club acquire the playing rights of Paul DeJersey (92)(F) from the Drumheller Dragons Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

12-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Todd Skirving (92)(F) plus future considerations to the Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Ben Matthews (91)(D).

12-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Trevor Fitzgerald (92)(F), Josh Bryan (93)(D) and Scott Milnthorp (92)(D) to the Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Leo Fitzgerald (93)(F), Myles Fitzgerald (93)(F), Gerry Fitzgerald (93(F) and Jesse Urcic (93)(D).

22-Aug-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Kyle Manlow (91) to the Dauphin Kings Hockey Club of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations.

03-Oct-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Nick Huard (91) to the Woodstock Slammers Hockey Club of the MHL in exchange for the playing righs of Doug Jessey.

05-Oct-11 The Westside Warriors Hockey Club transfer the playing rights of Tyson Witala (93)(F) to the Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

11-Oct-11 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Sam Waterfield (91)(F) to the Humboldt Broncos Hockey Club of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations.

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Prince George has the leagues 16th best powerplay

-The Spruce Kings have the BCHL's 7th best penalty kill

-Paul De Jersey (14-10-24), Jujhar Khaira (9-13-22) & Michael Colantone (6-12-18) are all in the leagues top twenty in scoring

1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers Inducted Into Okanagan Sports Hall Of Fame

The 1969-70 & 1971-72 Vernon Essos were inducted into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014

1999 Vernon Vipers Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame

The 1999 Vernon Vipers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame In July 2016

On December 2nd 2017 the Vernon Vipers honoured the 1956 Vernon Canadians and former Vernon Esso's legend Wayne Dye. The 1956 Vernon Canadians Allen Cup banner along side Wayne Dye's #8 Legends banner were raised to the rafters at Kal Tire Place

Kal Tire Place-Home to the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

About Me

I first created this blog in November of 2008. This coming season will be my ninth season doing this blog. I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and have been going to Junior Hockey games in Vernon since I was a young child. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990
I have had season tickets for the last 26 years, Since 1990 I have missed 42 home games.
In September of 2009 I missed my first home game since 2002-03 wich my streak of 236 straight Vipers home games came to an end. Ive missed just three Vipers home games since the 1998-1999 season.
I worked with the Vipers back in 2003-04 as colour comentator helping out with a few games over the internet. In 2011 I helped deisgn, create and put together the Vipers new website for the 2011-12 season. I ran and updated the Vipers website for five seasons, keeping all staff bios and pictures updated, adding new game photos, doing a game preview on game days, as well as adding any Vipers news, scores or BCHL news through out the season.
Over the years I have travelled to Victoria, Dauphin & Camrose to watch the Vipers in the RBC Cup. I was also at the 1990 Centennial Cup & 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.